The wait is over. After a several-week hiatus, Liga BBVA MX is back in action with the start of the 2026 Apertura Tournament, a championship that, right from the first matchday, promises excitement, historic rivalries, and games that could begin to set the course for the teams in the title race.
Nine matches will kick off a new season, featuring Atlante’s return to the First Division, the defending champion’s debut, and several showdowns between clubs with unfinished business. In addition to the first three points, winning streaks, statistics, and the psychological boost needed to start off on the right foot will also be on the line.
Necaxa and Atlante will kick things off
Matchday 1 will begin at Estadio Victoria with a matchup that revives one of Mexican soccer’s most traditional rivalries. Necaxa will host Atlante in a clash with nearly a century of history, marking the long-awaited return of the Potros de Hierro to the top flight.
The head-to-head record between the two teams shows remarkable parity. In the professional era, they have faced each other 102 times, with 36 wins for each team and 30 draws, so any result could tip the historical balance.
Los Rayos will look to improve on their recent performances in season openers, while Atlante will try to celebrate its return to Liga MX with a victory that would excite its entire fan base.
Tigres Face a Tough Away Game
Later, Tigres will kick off their season against Tijuana at Estadio Caliente.
Although the Tigres hold a commanding lead in the overall head-to-head record, visiting the border has never been an easy task. The Xolos have won three of their last four home games against the Monterrey-based team and will look to capitalize on that home-field advantage once again.
For their part, Tigres will look to maintain their tradition of starting tournaments with a win and extend their winning streak on opening matchdays.
Cruz Azul Begins Its Title Defense
Friday will be the defending champion’s turn. Cruz Azul will begin its title defense with a road match against Atlético de San Luis, where it will look to confirm that it remains one of the most solid teams in Mexican soccer.
La Máquina holds a commanding lead in the head-to-head record between the two clubs, though the San Luis Potosí-based team is confident it can draw strength from its home field to pull off one of the tournament’s first upsets.
León and Atlas face off in a closely matched contest
At the Nou Camp, León will host Atlas in a match where recent history clearly favors La Fiera.
The Esmeraldas have gone nine consecutive games without a loss against the Rojinegros at home. However, Atlas typically starts the season strong and has suffered just one defeat in its last ten Matchday 1 games.
FC Juárez aims to keep its winning streak alive
Bravos will host Puebla in a matchup that, on paper, looks very evenly matched.
Although La Franja holds a slight edge in the overall head-to-head record, FC Juárez enters the match having gone five consecutive games without a loss against Puebla and will look to extend that streak to start the 2026 Apertura on a confident note.
Pumas and Pachuca promise one of the best matches
Saturday will feature one of the weekend’s most exciting matches when Pumas host Pachuca at Ciudad Universitaria.
The head-to-head record between the two clubs is one of the most evenly matched in Liga MX, with only a slight difference in wins. Additionally, Pumas have gone more than two decades without losing an opening match at home, while the Tuzos are known for starting each season strong.
Rayados aim to set the tone
Monterrey will make its home debut against Santos Laguna with the goal of confirming the dominance it has shown over the Guerreros in recent years.
Rayados have lost only one of their last thirty home games against Santos Laguna in Liga MX—a statistic that reflects just how difficult it is to play at Estadio BBVA.
Chivas puts the champion to the test
One of the most anticipated matchups will take place when Guadalajara hosts Toluca at AKRON Stadium.
The Diablos Rojos arrive on the back of three consecutive victories over the Rebaño Sagrado and an impressive streak of eight tournaments without a loss to start the season. Chivas will look to snap both streaks and give their fans something to cheer about right from the first matchday.
América will close out the action against Querétaro
Matchday 1 will conclude with América’s visit to La Corregidora to face Querétaro.
The Águilas arrive with overwhelmingly favorable stats, having recorded six consecutive wins over the Gallos Blancos and going 11 games without a loss in this series.
However, the Querétaro team will look to capitalize on the support of their fans to break a trend that has clearly favored the Azulcremas in recent years.
A tournament that promises excitement from the start
Matchday 1 of the 2026 Apertura has all the ingredients for a spectacular start. Historic comebacks, champions looking to reaffirm their dominance, teams thirsty for revenge, and rivalries that have defined different eras of Mexican soccer will once again take center stage.
With nine matches spread over three days, Liga MX embarks on a new adventure in which every point could be decisive for the ultimate goal: lifting the championship trophy at the end of the season.
